Abu Dhabi: The UAE checkpoints at Al Ghuwaifat overseeing traffic across the border to Saudi Arabia have started clearing trucks in minutes as part of the Ministry of Interior’s strategy to provide efficient services, a senior official said.
The occasional long line of trucks at the border only reflects increased traffic and is not due to any delays in transactions, Lieutenant Colonel Salim Al Ameri, Chief of Al Ghuwaifat Police, who fall under the jurisdiction of the Ports and Border Department at Abu Dhabi Police, said in a statement issued to Gulf News on Wednesday.
He was responding to enquiries from Gulf News about the reported delay in movement of trucks crossing the border to Saudi Arabia during the past two weeks.
Lt Col Al Ameri said all authorities at the border operate as part of an integrated system to provide the best security, while according due humanitarian consideration and logistical support. He praised the coordination and cooperation between the authorities concerned to get the processing of trucks done in the fastest way without delays.
Officials rely on a spirit of teamwork to enhance the flow of trucks during periods of heavy rush, he said. The number of staff on duty has also been increased to process passports of truck drivers and travellers heading to Saudi Arabia, he added.
The border checkpoints at Al Ghuwaifat have all facilities in place to help travellers get the necessary rest before completing their transactions, Lt Col Al Ameri said. All passport counters are working to avoid any congestion and all transactions can be completed within five minutes, he said. He added that the checkpoints at Al Ghuwaifat employ the latest technology for security and passport checks, also relying on the modern e-gate system.
Truck drivers also agreed that clearances at the UAE checkpoints had been speeded up. There had been a delay at Saudi checkpoints in the past two weeks but the situation has improved since the beginning of this week, they said.
Saudi Authorities were not available for comments.
Queues of trucks had been spotted on the road leading to the border off and on during the past two weeks. “But there was no queue at all since the beginning of this week,” a shopkeeper at Al Ghuwaifat told Gulf News on Wednesday.
Truck drivers were also delighted about the improved situation. “We are happy trucks to Saudi Arabia has been moving faster now,” Adil, an Arab truck driver said.
